Introduction
It was one evening at around five, when we were going for a dinner with my friend, Vicky;that is, a friend we are with in the same college, when this study began. Itproceeded informally like a normal talk accompanied by several youthful jokes. Being bathed by the cool breeze of the ocean; as we were enjoying our traditional meals, which were deliciously cooked, we got ourselves indulged in several discussions. Surprisingly enough, it was this day that I realized that my brother is single and not engaged. As usual with the age and country mates, we were able to study more about our cultural, family backgrounds, our visions and how we view life generally. In summary, this favored and promising environment culminated into the verge of my interview. Therefore, he welcomed me warmly when I informed him about this study andthe nature of my course. I would like to appreciate more for this study because it has led me to a more understanding of other cultures, social, economic and political way of life of other communities. You deserve an audible applause!
It found that I had read, understood and noted the questions that I was to interview him; therefore, I was indeed ready and expectant for the job. Using my small note book; which I also had at the same moment, I managed to interview and record the study as in the excerpt. Thisthen, enabled me to come upwith the report relevant to the questions that I interviewed him on.
According to research, leisure, means any free time activity and therefore he could not have it without a free time in his schedule (Josef, 2011). Unexpectedly enough, just as the wise men concluded that ``Un-expected always happens”, he said that leisure is part of his lifestyle; as a result, he had to plan for it in his timetable. He also reported that he could not imagine a life without any leisure time. He added that; at some point, he found himself viewing leisure as an idling agenda. Themain roles of leisure in his life include; relief from boredom especially after a day fully packed with several activities, more acquaintance to unknown areas, improvement on health standards (Josef, 2011). It is equally clear from the say made by Vicky that `` since biologically it is healthy to have some free time “.Vicky noted that, he does not only participate in one activity during leisure but he also have several activities. Some of the activities he likes to undertake during leisure are to listen and learn new songs, to travel to new places, to watch movies and to play football,he emphasizedthat, these activities are very constructive and therefore he does not see any of the side effects. He has a strong belief that he can not enjoy any leisure activity in a lonely environment .Therefore; he added that this has molded him to be to be sociable. ``I have realized that there are several similarities between the activities that I enjoy and many other people’s activities.” He said. Concerning his current commitment, that is, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree course, he said that at some points leisure affects his program in studies. In particular, he said that, watching movies is so addictive and therefore he always find himself spending a lot of time;consequently,he remarked that the steps that he is trying to employ so as to control this problem is to be faithful to his timetable. He added that, the length of time spent in any activity during leisure depends on the commitment at that time, the level of interest in that activity, just to mention but a few.
Vicky informed me that the first time for him to understand what leisure is, happened when he was in secondary school. This, he noted was because, it was during this time that he learnt that,`` time is money “and therefore it is necessary for someone to schedule him or herself properly.Futhermore,he reported that, what he fears most in life is to trespass against somebody and also to be in prison. He saidhe fear these most because it is good to obey and love both your neighbor and the authority. `` I have heard of how men are being treated in the prison and I would not wish to experience such kind of life. Furthermore, it is just nice when you stay at peace and enjoy your freedom. ”He said.
Some of the issues that stood out from my interviewee that I would like to comment on are; his ability to respond with moreconfidence, humility in his response and being realistic. He was also agitated that I left him pondering on how the questions were few and how the time had been spent. This study has also helped me individually to understand more about that brother ,that is ,his view towards critical issues ,for example, the type of beverage he likes, the type of literature books he likes to read ,just to mention but a few. From this interview, I believe that he really understood what leisure is all about. I also hope that he will take a positive response towards this interview.
John Neulinger was a noted German-American psychologist and professor Emeritus of psychology atCity College in New York. He is identified by contributions towards social philosophical theory ofleisure to the branch of leisure subject. This theory is characterized by psychological state of mind that request two criteria for leisure; that is perceived freedom and intrinsic motivation (Renchner, 2010). This theory views individuals in leisure to be people who have the freedom to choose what they want to do as the leisure for its own sake but not focusing on its consequences.
The Neulinger’s theory was published in 1974.The theory perceived leisure as a state of mind where a person chooses what he felt like doing because he want it.It involved an activity which has an intrinsic outcome with a total freedom otherwise the activity will not qualify to be called leisure. He described three states that are pure leisure, leisurework, purejob, workjob, pure work and leisure job. He further described leisure as a way of being at peace with oneself and what one is doing. Leisure has only essentialcriteria and,that is, the condition of perceived freedom. Any activity carried out freely without constraint may be considered as leisure (Renchner, 2010). To leisure means you are engaged in a free activity with the freedom of choice. Just like any other theory, the Neulinger’s theory also had certain shortcomings. For example; it was criticized for lack of power, which is, failing to acknowledge that leisure can be without freedom at some points. The theory also failed to differentiate between real and illusion freedom. He envisioned society where true job would be missing instead people would enjoy more leisure than real work, without friction, self-rewarding and freely selected. He finally championed societal transformation that is ``a universal leisure society instead of more useless world conflicts and destruction.”
There are several facts that are evidently coming in the study above, that is, from the interview and the literature point of view. These facts involve the meaning of leisure that is, involve the state of mind, the level of freedom to the victim and also it may be accompanied by the activities. Leisure also has a very important role to play within a person’slife. Therefore, at least every normal person should have leisuretime. Some of the common leisure activities are those that may not be very constructive in a person’s life for example watching movies, playing football, reading novels, conducting an adventure (Sebastian, 2010).
Generally, leisure activity does not necessarily mean that you must be in a midst of many people you can enjoy it alone (Renchner, 2010). Leisure will only affect your normal program if you do not program your time well. Nevertheless, it has a negative side on the work place: like envisioned by the psychologist and professor John Neulinger that many will not easily understand the difference between leisure and real job. In other words, leisure is addictive and will always easily lead to mismanagement of time. The choice of which activity is to be carried out and the length of time it should be slotted during leisure are independent on any external factor, but, it is purely from within the person’schoice. Any negative side associated with leisure, can be controlled and therefore easily remedied by the victim himself. For example, it may involve changing of an individuals’ lifestyle.
In conclusion, the real measure of a successful life is whether or not inner peace is achieved. Inner peace is the transcendent feeling of fulfillment and personal wellbeing which comes whenever a person is living their lifeinconformity with their inner core values. Therefore it is upon any individual to choose how to program themselves in relation to leisure.
References
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